Our History
TO THE JOURNEY AHEAD
Establishing a Baptist Seminary has been a dream for several of the Indian Pastors. We were bringing together pastors for training in one-on-one evangelism, pastoral counseling, preaching, community development, serving communities by running medical clinics, training in animal husbandry, agriculture etc. These programs were conducted in the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
Kunjumon Chacko, B.V.R. Rao, S Kripananda, Sudarsana Rao, A.K, Daniel, V M Georgekutty, P.I. Mathew, Johnson Mathew, P.J. Joseph are corner stones of the Indian Pastors who joined in dreaming a seminary.
India Baptist Theological Seminary was founded by the Almighty God through the instrumentality of the founders Rev. Dr. Kunjumon Chacko, Rev. Dr. William. L. Ross and Rev. Dr. Ray Allen. Pastor Don Reid from First Baptist Church, Galax VA, Pastor Steve Playl from Sparta First Baptist Church, Pastor Mark Johnson from Zoar Baptist Church, Pastor David Elks
from Elizabeth Town Baptist Church, Pastor Kevin Meadows from Grandin Court Baptist Church, Rev. Andrew from Good News Baptist Church, Singapore, Dr. Stockburger and Ron Green, both from Blacksburg Baptist Church, are some of the notable names in developing the Seminary into its present form.
The seminary is the educational arm of India Vision, registered with the government as a charitable society (not for profit organization).
In 1996 Dr. Kunjumon Chacko, the Chairman of India Vision Ministries offered his two-acres of land for the construction of a theological institution. The seed money was provided by Mr. Bill Butterworth and Mrs. Carol Butterworth, Virginia, USA. The ground breaking for the main building was done on April 21, 1996.
By 16th January 2000 most of the building works were completed and the India Baptist Theological Seminary was dedicated to the glory of God by Rev. Dr. John V. Upton, Ex. Director of Virginia Baptist General Association and Dr. D. Babu Paul IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala. The Seminary proclaimed at the dedication service that it was committed to the task of becoming a centre for all denominations to unite in the pursuit of learning theological disciplines and Community service that have given meaning to the church for hundreds of years.
The appellate body of IBTS is the Board of Trustees. The IBTS started the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) programme in June 2001 with 12 students representing 5 states of India and 4 denominations. The B.Th. program was discontinued with the view to focus on Masters level degrees. Dr. Biju K Chacko served as the founding Principal and it was Dr. Jiji Chacko the first academic dean. At present we offer Master of Divinity, Master of Theology specialized in Pastoral Counseling, Master of Theology specialized in History of Christianity and Doctor of ministry programmes.
The Faculty consists of academicians from reputed seminaries and universities with Master’s and Doctoral degrees. The facilities are augmented to enroll a hundred students. Presently the student body is from nine States in India. IBTS community strives to maintain unity in midst of its diversity.
The IBTS is located in the village of Areepparambu in Kottayam district , state of Kerala. Areepparambu is eco-friendly with green vegetation around consisting of pineapples, Black Pepper, Rubber Trees, Jack Fruit Trees, Teak and other trees that stay green throughout the year. The Seminary has well-maintained and clean facility, which is built with modern architecture.